Overview & Reviews
The Lincoln Town Car was one of the most established automotive nameplates in America. Since it debuted as a trim level for the 1969-'71 Continental, the Town Car's purpose remained the same: to spoil as many as six occupants with spacious and luxurious accommodations no matter where in the car they were sitting. For years it was the epitome of what Americans expected from a luxury car.
As time passed by, those expectations began to change, and the Town Car did not evolve to meet them. Not only did Lincoln maintain the Town Car's palatial dimensions, massive trunk and soft ride, it also maintained the basic platform that had underpinned the car since the late 1970s. Its solid rear axle suspension and V8 engine, in particular, were relics of another time. Many of the latest safety, convenience and entertainment features were also not available.
Some will certainly view a used Town Car as a comfortable choice for luxury transportation. But for the most part, we think most shoppers will do better choosing another large luxury sedan that's more capable and advanced.
Most Recent Lincoln Town Car
The most recent Lincoln Town Car was produced from 2003-'11. Compared to the model that immediately preceded it, this final Town Car featured a strengthened frame, updated mechanicals, minor styling changes and a revised interior. But it still was heavily based on the previous car, with a body-on-frame chassis, rear-wheel drive and a solid rear axle.
Equipped with wide front and rear bench seats, the Lincoln Town Car was one of the few six-passenger cars around. Both standard- and long-wheelbase models were offered, each powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produced 239 horsepower and 287 pound-feet of torque. Not only was acceleration pokey, but fuel economy was poor as well. Not helping matters was an old four-speed automatic that lacked the choice of gear ratios and fuel economy of the five- and six-speed automatics found on competitive sedans.
Changes during its lengthy model run were largely restricted to a reshuffling and renaming of trim names in its first few years. For instance, the top-of-the-line model was first named Cartier, then Ultimate and finally Signature Limited. From 2006 through 2011, however, the Town Car could primarily be had in standard-wheelbase Signature Limited and long-wheelbase Signature L trim levels. Feature highlights included dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, power-adjustable pedals, a premium sound system, a power-operated trunk and driver memory settings. The Town Car Signature L was essentially a limousine. Six inches longer than the standard car, the L featured a much roomier rear bench seat with separate audio and climate controls.
In editorial reviews, we appreciated the Town Car's abundant storage areas, soft ride quality, interior spaciousness and ability to swallow four sets of golf clubs in the huge trunk. And compared to the previous generation, it did benefit from a stronger frame, sharpened steering and upgraded brakes. But compared to other large luxury sedans of the time, the Town Car was let down by a weak engine, soggy handling, a dated interior design and a lack of modern features.
Previous Lincoln Town Car Models
The Lincoln Town Car produced from 1998-2002 lacked the more recent model's updates, but still offered the same roomy interior. It was offered in Executive, Signature and Cartier editions, and beginning in 2002, the latter two trim levels were available in long-wheelbase form. Between 1998 and 2000, the Town Car was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 that produced 205 hp. In 2001, hp was bumped up to 220 for Executive and Signature editions, while Cartier versions produced 235 hp.
Between 1990 and 1997, the Town Car was boxy, slab-sided and formal. However, its radiused edges, flush-mounted windows and lighting elements made it appear infinitely more modern and aerodynamic than the carriage-like pre-1990 models. In 1991, an overhead-cam 4.6-liter V8 was installed that, with 190 hp, was significantly more powerful than the 5.0-liter V8 in previous Town Cars. In 1994, hp rose once again to 210. Other notable developments for mid-1990s Town Car models included an optional Handling Package with firmer suspension and matched tires introduced for 1993, and a subtle but tasteful interior and exterior restyle for 1995.
Most editorial reviewers of the time noted the Town Car's strength as a serene reading room on wheels while lamenting its ponderous driving dynamics. However, there was universal acknowledgement that the Lincoln Town Car never has been for spirited drivers, but rather for those who grew up believing that big, comfortable, rear-wheel-drive American luxury cars were the ultimate reward for a job well done. And for them, this Town Car was a perfect fit.
User Reviews:
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City and Highway comfort - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
By Robert A. - May 22 - 2:00 amImpressed not only with the roominess but the very comfortable ride city as well as highway. Fuel economy is excellent for a large, 4400 lb. car. While not intended to be a sport car, performance is more than adequate for most. The classical reservedinterior and exterior styling will appeal to conservative owners and will fit in almost anywhere.
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excellent - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
By alvin - May 22 - 2:00 amI love this car it is the best
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16 Words - 1995 Lincoln Town Car
By Calvin - May 21 - 10:13 pmThis car has been amazing since it has been completely fixed. Not very long after purchase, it was in the shop at least once every two weeks. It had the habit of dying randomly during driving. Not a put-put die process, but just turning off. After something like six months of every part imaginable being replaced, we took it to a local auto supply store, and the clerk changed a six dollar relay switch which has corrected the problem. Aside from that, it has been amazing; it is big enough for anything you want to do, but not overbearing. It has amazing performance that is hardly ever used, but is there when needed. I love it and so does everyone that rides in it. Her name is Louise.
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Much better than Cadillac - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
By Malcolm - May 21 - 10:00 amVery good vehicle, best Town Car to date
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King of the road - 2006 Lincoln Town Car
By MR. HAMEL - May 15 - 1:46 amVery very plush ride, ive had em all and the town car tops the deville, avalon, 300c and anything thing else that matches up with it.
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Where did my old Town Car go? - 2000 Lincoln Town Car
By Terryfic - May 14 - 10:00 amI bought this car new to replace a 1992 Cartier that had been wrecked. The new styling does not live up to my old cars. The seats are hard, front seat passenger leg room is cramped. As a matter of fact, my long legged friends all prefer sitting in the back seat because their knees are in their faces in the front seat! Overall though, this has been an incredibly reliable car - never needed anything but oil changes since I bought it 3 years ago. It rides beautifully. It is easy to get in and out. The handling is much more crisp than my old Town Car - I amaze people by parallell parking in very tight spots.
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Lincolns lost their build quality - 2003 Lincoln Town Car
By Virginia - May 9 - 10:00 amWith 21 years and 400K miles driving Lincolns, I loved them and bought the 03. More annoying issues with this car than Ive had in 20 years. Vibration at idle is built-in and cant be corrected. Compared to older Lincolns,the car has poor acceleration from low RPMs with poorer gas mileage and a smaller gas tank.Contrary to the manual-duplicated pages-doesnt have DSP.Left out an AM filter so the AM reception was a return to the 50s. With a fix,dash now rattles. Gas tank cover wouldnt open. Lincoln wont communicate. Comparing features, Lincoln designers have done next to nothing in 10 years. I take that back-- they took the quality out.
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DonsTC experience - 2004 Lincoln Town Car
By Donal - May 8 - 12:13 pmGreat car- rides like a dream and leaves the driver with practically no sense of fatique after very long drive times-up to 12 hours. The rate of depreciation in two years from $48,000 to $23,000 is a real negative on early replacement.
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Most reliable car I have owned - 1994 Lincoln Town Car
By dulciboy20198 - April 25 - 8:48 amBought this car last year and I have put 20K miles on it. It has always started right up. At 176K the engine burns a little bit of oil. I average 20mpg with a combination of city (25%) and highway (75%) miles. The only issues I have had were the air suspension, climate control computer going bad, hinge pin going bad and the cornering lamp lens falling off.
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remarkable - 1998 Lincoln Town Car
By alan - April 16 - 12:30 amI have inherited this car w/39,000 miles. A dream to own and drive. It now has 44,000 and still appears as new. I particularly like the mileage and extreme quiet.
